Neurology residency: UTSW vs. UT-Houston

[darksideone]

To be honest I have no ties to Texas at all, however I have heard good things about UTSW and UT-Houston. I was curious if current residents might be able to chip in about their programs or those of you who interviewed in the past. I would have thought about applying to Baylor in the past, however with all the drama and problems they have been having recently I have decided to pass on them. UTSW is probably a bit more regarded than UT-Houston, as well as has a larger faculty and more research going on. However UT-Houston has the Texas Medical Center going for it and is well regarded for its stroke program. Is UTSW the clear winner here and in Texas in general?

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[coffeeaddict]

I went to medical school at UT Houston and interviewed for neurology at both Utsw and Ut Houston. I've since matched outside of Texas but I'll be glad to tell you what I know about the two programs. Neither one is regarded higher than the other as a whole. It depends on what you're going for. UT Houston have super strong programs in Stroke/vascular/interventional neurology, movement disorders, neuro oncology (with MD Anderson) and epilepsy and are well represented in all subspecialties except for cognitive neurology and neuroinfectious disease. UTSW is strong in neuroinfectious dz and MS. Facilities are much better (in my opinion) at UT Houston (the mischner neuroscience institute loads up the money for neat stuff and great facilities.) The call schedule hands down is better at UTSW since there is a night float system (the only one in Texas at least at the time of 2009) Both programs have super nice faculty and will train their residents very well and will send their residents to awesome fellowships so no worries there. Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[darksideone]

I went to medical school at UT Houston and interviewed for neurology at both Utsw and Ut Houston. I've since matched outside of Texas but I'll be glad to tell you what I know about the two programs. Neither one is regarded higher than the other as a whole. It depends on what you're going for. UT Houston have super strong programs in Stroke/vascular/interventional neurology, movement disorders, neuro oncology (with MD Anderson) and epilepsy and are well represented in all subspecialties except for cognitive neurology and neuroinfectious disease. UTSW is strong in neuroinfectious dz and MS. Facilities are much better (in my opinion) at UT Houston (the mischner neuroscience institute loads up the money for neat stuff and great facilities.) The call schedule hands down is better at UTSW since there is a night float system (the only one in Texas at least at the time of 2009) Both programs have super nice faculty and will train their residents very well and will send their residents to awesome fellowships so no worries there. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you for posting this. I appreciate it. Does anyone else have experience with either of them?

 

[Fencer]

Just to balance here... Epilepsy at UT-SW is better than UT-Houston. Stroke at UT-Houston is better than UT-Houston. Overall, UT-SW is suited better for the future Academic Neurologist than UT-Houston, and UT-Houston is slightly more Clinical than UT-SW. Both are very good programs and we are splitting hairs.

Although at the present time, you are training to be a Neurologist, if you are thinking on doing a subspecialty, choose on the strength of your career choice. Otherwise, you should follow your gut impression of your interview.

 

[TundraT100]

Stroke at UT-Houston is better than UT-Houston.

huh?

 

[HarveyCushing]

huh?

Yeah I noticed that, but I believe the poster mean that stroke at UT-Houston is >> than stroke at UTSW.

 

[Fencer]

huh?

My bad... Stroke at UT-Houston is better than at UT-SW.

 

[funshine]

Does anyone know how difficult it will be to match into UT-Houston, UTSW as a non-Texas resident? I assume it is less competitive than California, but don't know how much more so.

Thanks!

Also, why are people worried about Baylor not maintaining its reputation in neurology?

 

[voiceofhouston1]

The neurology teaching program at UT Houston is going downhill. The current program director either doesn't care or is powerless. The residents appear very unhappy. To them it appears that they are doing stroke all the time. The stroke department has made it a Comprehensive stroke care center and one of the implications is that they cannot refuse any transfer or admission to the service. All the load is being absorbed by the same number of residents. The residents are getting burnt out. The program is marketed as being front heavy but as the residents move on to the next year the program director and or the Chairman will change the schedules and add more hospitals without even discussing with the residents. The residents have no say in their program. The Stroke department refuses to hire a nurse practitioner as they will have to pay. But refuse to acknowledge the effect it is having on the residents. They have made the program categorical for it to be more attractive, but unfortunately it's not in the best interest of the residents. The current program director is very disappointing. She essentially is rationalizing her actions thinking that program still doesn't go against ACGME rules. I will be soon leaving this place and wouldn't advise anyone to come here for neurology.

 

[FutureNeuroDocTexas]

I wanted to know if anyone else has opinions about UT Houston Neurology's residency program. If there are any other inputs, please share!

I did come to know that a nurse practitioner was hired to alleviate some of the work from residents, meaning the NP took 1 stroke patient to every 4 stroke admits.
I found the residents to be happy and a close group that interacted with the faculty well. I did not hear them talk badly about any of the attendings.
However, there is no night float team, but it seemed that the residents wanted it to stay that way.

 

[TUGM]

Just came back from UT-Houston.

Obviously - awesome training in stroke/vascular; PGY-2s get thrown into stroke, but have appropriate help from seniors, fellows, and attendings. There are actually 2 stroke services - one run by the residents, the other by a complimentary staff of NPs (they take about 1 stroke admission for every 4-5 stroke admits). Basically you end up being a stroke expert by the end of residency. Awesome 32-bed NCC unit run by Dr. Kiwon Lee (from Columbia). Didn't stress NIR/ESN very much - this is run by N-surg (Dr. Edgell is at SLU now). Great movement disorders, behavioral neurology, and epilepsy. The only thing they lack really is a headache specialist.

No night float; residents want it that way. PGY2s 2-4 calls/month, PGY3s 1-2 calls/month, and PGY4s have some home call. About 6 months for electives. Residents seem to be pretty happy, friendly, and connected. Had a great time with them. Houston is regarded as a pretty awesome place to live by all of them.

Can't really comment on UTSW, haven't been there.